Remote-controlled magnetically operable switch

ABSTRACT

A magnetically operable switch comprises a magnetic yoke. A magnetically controllable clapper armature is mounted on the yoke. A cam type rocker is rotatably mounted on the yoke. A pair of contact spring means are engagable with each other to close the switch and disengagable from each other to open the switch. One of the contact spring means is engagable with and controllable in position by the rocker. A tappet is rotatably mounted on and movable with the armature and engagable with the rocker to move the rocker between closed and open switch positions. A spreading hook extends from the tappet and has a configuration such that it enters between the two contact spring means during the rotation of the tappet when the switch is opening to disengage the spring means from each other.

United States Patent Rosch et a1. Sept. 5, 1972 [54] REMOTE-CONTROLLED 2,543,000 2/1951 Deakin ..335/ 133 M AGNETICALLY ()PERABLE SWITCH 2,830,149 4/1958 Winans ..335/l88 721 Inventors: Helmut Rosch, Adalbert-Stifter-Str. gg gggg 2%;: a; 29a; Herbert Neburg, Aussigerstr. 3Ol8348 1/1962 L "335/188 18, both of 84 Regensburg Gap enmng many; Erich Schlenz, deceased, late of Schlesierstr. 9, 84 Regensburg, 5 g f gzi zj Germany by Frieda Schlenz, heir omey u very e [73] Assignee: Siemens Aktiengeselleschaft, [57] ABSTRACT Berlin and Munich, Germany A magnetically operable switch comprises a magnetic Flled: 1971 yoke. A magnetically controllable clapper armature is [21] APPL No: 165,848 mounted on the yoke. A cam'type rocker is rotatably mounted on the yoke. A pair of contact spring means are engagable with each other to close the switch and [30] Fore'gn Apphcatmn Pnomy Data disengagable from each other to open the switch. One

July 11, 1970 Germany ..P 20 34 465.4 of the contact Spring means is ehgegable with and trollable in position by the rocker. A tappet is [52] U.S. Cl ..335/188, 200/153 J, 335/133 rotatably mounted on and movable with the armature [51] Int. Cl. ....H01h 3/42 a ehgagable with the rocker to move the rocker [53] Fi ld f S ar h 335/188, 185, 189, 190, 128, between closed and open switch positions. A spread- 335/133; 200/167 PK, 153 J, DIG. 42 ing hook extends from the tappet and has a configuration such that it enters between the two contact spring [56] References Cited means during the rotation of the tappet when the switchis opening to disengage the spring means from UNITED STATES PATENTS each other 1,610,213 12/1926 De Ville ..200/67 PK 2,495,325 1/1950 Hamilton ..335/133 6 Chums 8 Drawmg guns REMOTE-CONTROLLED MAGNETICALLY OPERABLE SWITCH The invention relates to magnetically operable switches. More particularly, the invention relates to remote-controlled magnetically operable switches.

Remote-controlled switches are sometimes called current pulse relays. Such a switch comprises a current pulse relay having a tappet provided for a clapper armature. The tappet actuates or operates a contact member similar to a cam type rocker in order to engage one of the contact springs.

Magnetically operable switches utilizes as remotecontrolled switches make it possible to switch on and off apparatus or lighting or other load devices, by means of simple pushbuttons. One remote-controlled switch may switch one or more lighting devices. The importance of remote-controlled switches in modern mounting techniques is indicated by the load being switched from many more localities than was possible with the conventional selector and cross-type circuits of wiring accessory switches. Larger groups of lamps may also be switched via contactors, by remote-controlled switches having conventional wiring accessory pushbuttons.

Remote-controlled switches may also be utilized in simple control systems instead of the expensive auxiliary relays, when the shortest possible breaking period or switching time is not of essence.

Marketable remote-controlled switches operate either with mercury tube switches for special needs, or with spring contacts provided with a hard silver coating. Remote-controlled switches having spring contacts were found suitable, until now, only for switching essentially ohmic loads. In loads where a short-circuit type current shock flow upon connection through the switch as is the case in parallel-compensated luminescent or fluorescent lamps, the contacts will usually fuse or stick together. This type of usage leads to interferences, breakdown or outages in conventional remote-controlled switches.

An object of the invention is to provide a magnetically operable switch suitable for use as a remote-controlled switch or current pulse relay which may be utilized to switch current pulse loads or higher capacity or higher power loads.

A further object of our invention is to provide a magnetically operable switch suitable for use as a remotecontrolled switch which opens reliably with facility and rapidity.

Another object of our invention is to provide a magnetically operable switch suitable for use as a remotecontrolled switch which is of simple structure and which functions with efficiency, effectiveness and reliability.

The tappet of the switch of the invention is provided with a spreader hook which, during the opening phase of the contacts, enters between the contact springs in order to keep them apart. Contacts which stick together or are slightly fused are thereby broken apart.

According to an important feature of the invention, the magnetically operable switch is designed so that the fusing tendency of the contacts is considerably diminished, compared to the known switches. To accomplish this, we utilize the knowledge that the tendency to fuse is reduced by shorter bouncing periods. We define a bouncing period" as the time during which, when a switch is closed, the contacts will still lift out of contact and pull light arcs.

In accordance with the invention, the contact member and a movable contact are designed in order to accelerate the closing speed of the contacts. To accomplish this, the work profile of the contact member is designed with a concave region in the closing phase of the contact members and the adjacent contact spring is curved away from the engagement side.

An embodiment of the switch of the invention which makes a considerable contribution toward reducing the bouncing period, provides that the contact springs are clamped at their ends which are free of contact members in opposition in the direction of the path of the contact springs. The contact springs are curved away in the region of the contact members in order to transversely position an imaginary axis through the contact members. It has been found that the increased closing speed and the transversely positioned contacts act in a particularly favorable cooperation or correlation. Both features provide a reliable opening of the magnetically operable switch by means of spreader hooks.

In a unipolar magnetic switch apparatus, it is preferred that the spreader hook represent a sickle type lateral extension of the upper or head region of the tappet which has the profile of a narrow wedge and in whose head region a pivot is guided by the clapper armature, for rotation movements in the plane of the tappet. The magnetic switch of the invention may also be designed as a multipolar apparatus, wherein a plurality of contact members may be arranged in the form of cam type rockers on a drum switch. Spreader hooks comprising sickle shaped extensions of the contact members are provided on the respective profile sides of the contact members which are opposite the tappets.

In accordance with the invention, a magnetically operable switch comprises a magnetic yoke. A magnetically controllable clapper armature is mounted on the yoke. A cam type rocker is rotatably mounted on the yoke. A pair of contact spring means are engageable with each other to close the switch and are disengagable from each other to open the switch. One of the contact spring means is engageable with and controllable in position by the rocker. A tappet is rotatably mounted on and movable with the armature and is engageable with the rocker to move the rocker between closed and open switch positions. A spreading hook extends from the tappet and has a configuration such that it enters between the two contact spring means during the rotation of the tappet when the switch is opening to disengage the spring means from each other.

Each of the contact spring means has a contact part engageable and disengagable from that of the other. The rocker and one of the contact spring means are shaped in a manner whereby they cooperate to accelerate the closing speed of the contact parts when the switch is closing.

The pair of contact spring means comprises a first contact spring having a contact part at one end and clamped at its free end and a second contact spring having a contact part at one end and clamped at its free end. The first and second contact springs are clamped with their clamped ends opposite each other in the direction of the path of the contact springs and curved away from each other in the areas of their contact parts in a manner whereby the contact parts are coaxially positioned on an axis transverse to the contact springs.

The pair of the contact spring means comprises a first contact spring having a contact part at one end and clamped at its free end and a second contact spring having a contact part at one end and clamped at its free end. The rocker has a work profile having a concave re gion formed therein. The first contact spring is positioned adjacent the rocker and is bent to curve away from the concave region of the rocker when the switch is closing.

The switch is a unipolar device. The tappet has an upper region. The spreading hook comprises a sickle shaped lateral extension of the upper region of the tappet and has the profile of a narrow wedge. A pivot pin in the upper region of the tappet pivotally mounts the tappet on the clapper armature for rotation in the plane pf the tappet.

The switch is a multipolar device and comprises a drum switch. A plurality of contact members comprise cam type rockers on the drum switch. A spreading hook extends from the profile side of each of the contact members opposite the tappet and is of sickle shape.

In order that the invention may be readily carried into effect, it will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram in top view, partly in section, of the essential components of an embodiment of the magnetically operable switch of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram in side view of the principal components of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 are schematic diagrams of the principal components of the embodiment of FIG. 1 in different phases of operation of the switch;

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of the essential components of another embodiment of the magnetically operable switch of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a view taken along the lines VII-VII of FIG. 6 in one phase of operation of the switch; and

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of the components of FIG. 7 in another phase of operation of the switch.

In the FIGS., the same components are identified by the same reference numerals.

The embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 5 is a unipolar magnetically operable switch and the embodiment of FIGS. 6 to 8 is a multipolar magnetically operable switch.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the magnetically operable switch comprises a housing 1, cut off on top in the FIG., and having a lateral sealing or closing plate 2. The components of the magnetic switch proper are accommodated in the housing 1. A magnetic winding 3 is positioned in a magnetic yoke with a clapper armature 4. A tappet 6 is pivotally mounted on the clapper armature 4 by a pivot pin 5.

The pivot pin 5 in the clapper armature 4 permits rotational movements of the tappet 6 in the plane of the tappet. When the clapper armature 4 is pulled up, the tappet 6 engages recesses formed in a contact member 7. The contact member 7 is similar to a cam type rocker. The contact member 7 is pivotable about a pivot pin 8. The tappet 6 is provided with a spreader hook 9, shown in the example of FIGS. 1, 3, 4 and 5 as a sickle shaped lateral extension of the upper or head region of said tappet. The spreader hook 9 has the profile of a narrow wedge, as shown in FIG. 3.

The work profile of the contact member 7 has a concave region 10 which, during the closing phase of the contact members, acts upon an adjacent contact spring 11. The contact spring 11 borders the contact member 7 and constitutes the movable contact. The contact spring 11 is curved off from its engagement side, as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 3, 4 and 5. A second contact spring 12 is provided. The working circuit to be switched is connected via connecting terminals 13 and 14 (FIG. 1) which are in electrically conductive connection with the contact springs 11 and 12, respectively. The magnetic winding or coil 3 is energized via connecting terminals 15 and 16 (FIG. 1).

The contact spring 11 has a contact part 17 and the contact spring 12 has a contact part 18. The contact springs 11 and 12 of the embodiment of FIG. 1 are clamped at their ends which are free of their contact parts 17 and 18. The clamped free ends of the contact springs 11 and 12 are opposite each other in the direction of the contact spring path. The contact springs 11 and 12 are curved away in the area of their contact parts in order to effect a transverse positioning of an axis 19, assumed to extend through the contact parts 17 and 18.

The work profile of the contact member 7 provides during the closing of the contacts, while entering the curved-away contact spring 11, an accelerated closing speed of the contact parts 17 and 18. The embodiment of the contact member 7 and of the axis 19 of the contact parts 17 and 18 transverse to the contact spring path, result in a decreased tendency of said contact parts to fuse and much shorter bouncing periods than occur in known magnetic switches.

FIG. 1 illustrates the open or OFF work phase at the onset of the engagement of the spreading hook 9 of the tappet 6. FIG. 2 is a lateral view of the principal components of the magnetically operable switch of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows the start of the closing phase of the contacts or contact parts 17 and 18. The tappet 6 glides into the left recess of the contact member 7 and rotates said contact member counter-clockwise. At the same time, the work profile of the contact member 7 slides or glides downward. The contact member 7 is designed in the form of a cam type rocker and areas of the rapidly growing radii of said contact member press the contact spring 11 and its contact part 17 against the contact part 18 of the contact spring 12 with increasing speed or at an accelerated rate. Due to the shape of the contact spring 11, curved away in the area of the contact part 17, the region of increasing radii may be accommodated after or behind the concave work profile of the contact member 7 before said contact spring is engaged. This, and a rolling glide contact of the contact parts 17 and 18, considerably helps to reduce the inclination of said contact parts to stick.

FIG. 4 illustrates the onset of the open contact work phase. The tappet 6 enters or engages the proper recess of the contact member 7 and turns the cam type rocker clockwise, so that the contact spring 11 is then released. This condition or position is illustrated in FIG. 5. The spreading hook 9 of the tappet 6 then enters between the contact springs 11 and 12 and tears the contacts or contact parts 17 and 18 apart if they stick together somewhat and cannot open by themselves.

A multipolar magnetically operable switch is a switch having more than one work pole. In accordance with the invention, a multipolar magnetically operable switch, as shown in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, comprises a drum switch which carries a plurality of contact members corresponding in number to the number of work poles. Each of the contact members is similar to a cam type rocker or is appropriately designed in its profile, or the drum 20 is appropriately designed in its profile.

A drum switch having contact members 7a and 7b is illustrated in FIG. 6. The contact member 7a cooperates with contact springs 11a and 12a and the contact member 7b cooperates with contact springs 11b and 12b. FIGS. 7 and 8 show the contact member 7a having a spreading hook 9a formed therein. A tappet 6a cooperates with the contact member 7a. The spreading hook 9a of FIG. 7 is on the profile side of the contact member 7a which lies opposite the tappet 6a.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, the spreading hook 9a is a sickle shaped extension or continuation of the contact member 7a. The spreading hook 7a enters between the contact springs 11a and 12a at a laterally protruding nose 21 (FIG. 6). FIG. 8 illustrates the entry of the spreading hook 9a in the open or OFF phase.

While the invention has been described by means of specific examples and in specific embodiments, we do not wish to be limited thereto, for obvious modifications will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

It is claimed:

1. A magnetically operable switch, comprising a magnetic yoke; a magnetically controllable clapper ar- -mature on the yoke; a cam type rocker rotatably mounted on the yoke; a pair of contact spring means engagable with each other to close the switch and disengagable from each other to open the switch, one of the contact spring means being engagable with and controllable in position by the rocker; a tappet rotatably mounted on and movable with the armature and engagable with the rocker to move the rocker between closed and open switch positions; and a spreading hook extending from the tappet and having a configuration such that it enters between the two contact spring means during the rotation of the tappet when the switch is opening to disengage said spring means from each other.

2. A magnetically operable switch as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the contact spring means has a contact part engagable and disengagable from that of the other, and the rocker and one of the contact spring means are shaped in a manner whereby they cooperate to accelerate the closing speed of the contact parts when the switch is closing.

3. A magnetically operable switch as claimed in claim 1, wherein the switch is a multipolar device and comprises a drum switch, a plurality of contact members comprising cam type rockers on the drum switch, and wherein a spreading hook extends from the profile side of each of the contact members opposite the tappet and is of sickle shape.

4. A magnetically operable switch as claimed in claim 2, wherein the pair of contact spring means comprises a first contact spring having a contact part at one end and clamped at its free end and a second contact spring having a contact part at one end and clamped at its free nd, the first and se ond contact sprin s being clampe with their clampe ends opposite eac other in the direction of the path of said contact springs and curved away from each other in the areas of their contact parts in a manner whereby said contact parts are coaxially positioned on an axis transverse to said contact springs.

5. A magnetically operable switch as claimed in claim 2, wherein the pair of the contact spring means comprises a first contact spring having a contact part at one end and clamped at its free end and a second contact spring having a contact part at one end and clamped at its free end, the rocker has a work profile having a concave region formed therein and the first contact spring is positioned adjacent the rocker and is bent to curve away from the concave region of the rocker when the switch is closing.

6. A magnetically operable switch as claimed in claim 4, wherein the switch is a unipolar device, the tappet has an upper region, and the spreading hook comprises a sickle shaped lateral extension of the upper region of the tappet and has the profile of a narrow wedge, and further comprising a pivot pin in the upper region of the tappet pivotally mounting the tappet on the clapper armature for rotation in the plane of said tappet. 

1. A magnetically operable switch, comprising a magnetic yoke; a magnetically controllable clapper armature on the yoke; a cam type rocker rotatably mounted on the yoke; a pair of contact spring means engagable with each other to close the switch and disengagable from each other to open the switch, one of the contact spring means being engagable with and controllable in position by the rocker; a tappet rotatably mounted on and movable with the armature and engagable with the rocker to move the rocker between closed and open switch positions; and a spreading hook extending from the tappet and having a configuration such that it enters between the two contact spring means during the rotation of the tappet when the switch is opening to disengage said spring means from each other.
 2. A magnetically operable switch as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the contact spring means has a contact part engagable and disengagable from that of the other, and the rocker and one of the contact spring means are shaped in a manner whereby they cooperate to accelerate the closing speed of the contact parts when the switch is closing.
 3. A magnetically operable switch as claimed in claim 1, wherein the switch is a multipolar device and comprises a drum switch, a plurality of contact members comprising cam type rockers on the drum switch, and wherein a spreading hook extends from the profile side of each of the contact members opposite the tappet and is of sickle shape.
 4. A magnetically operable switch as claimed in claim 2, wherein the pair of contact spring means comprises a first contact spring having a contact part at one end and clamped at its free end and a second contact spring having a contact part at one end and clamped at its free end, the first and second contact springs being clamped with their clamped ends opposite each other in the direction of the path of said contact springs and curved away from each other in the areas of their contact parts in a manner whereby said contact parts are coaxially positioned on an axis transverse to said contact springs.
 5. A magnetically operable switch as claimed in claim 2, wherein the pair of the contact spring means comprises a first contact spring having a contact part at one end and clamped at its free end and a second contact spring having a contact part at one end and clamped at its free end, the rocker has a work profile having a concave region formed therein and the first contact spring is positioned adjacent the rocker and is bent to curve away from the concave region of the rocker when the switch is closing.
 6. A magnetically operable switch as claimed in claim 4, wherein the switch is a unipolar device, the tappet has an upper region, and the spreading hook comprises a sickle shaped lateral extension of the upper region of the tappet and has the profile of a narrow wedge, and further comprising a pivot pin in the upper region of the tappet pivotally mounting the tappet on the clapper armature for rotation in the plane of said tappet. 